FTP upload

The product has the ability to upload runnable files to a server using FTP. This is done immediately the files are built and only for those runnables newly created. The FTP settings dialog allows three possible FTP upload choices: If errors are encountered in building then FTP uploading will be skipped.

A "Stop" button is provided to halt FTP uploading after commencement but it should be noted this causes immediate termination of the upload and may leave the files in an inconsistent state.

Specifying an FTP site for upload

The FTP settings dialog is accessible from the menu bar. This allows a different FTP site to be nominated for each type of runnable generated. The FTP site server URL should be specified without the "ftp://" prefix. The username for login must also be specified. Many runnables for different target devices may upload to the same server/username but in this case a directory should be specified.

Specifying a directory for upload

The directory entry is optional. If a directory is not specified then files will be uploaded to the default FTP directory. (The directory entry specified is used as an argument for an FTP "CWD" command in the software).

If only one server is being used for the runnables for a number of phone types then it is obviously important to create separate directories for each phone type and to specify these directories in the FTP settings dialog. The product will not create these directories if they don't already exist so it is important to create the directories on the server before performing the upload.

Specifying passwords

For security reasons the product does not store FTP passwords on disk. At the time of uploading to a site, passwords will be prompted for and need not be re-entered during an editor session as they will be kept in memory. Passwords for each server/username pair will be prompted for only once during a editor session.

Upload of movie sequences

The upload process will upload all files found in the target devices "runnable" directory after the product builds the runnable. Hence all files required for that movie to run including any movies jumped to plus the required image and sound files will also be uploaded.

FTP through firewalls

The product's FTP always uses the PASV command instead of the FTP PORT command to establish data connections for upload. This means that problems with firewalls shouldn't occur.

Error conditions during uploading

If the product encounters an error during uploading such as an incorrect password or a directory not existing then it will display the error encountered and the entire upload for all phone types will be terminated. This may leave files on the server in an inconsistent state so it is recommended the upload is attempted again after fixing the problem.

Unavailable servers

FTP upload may appear to halt when attempting to access an unavailable server. If the halt appears too long then pressing the "Stop" button will end the upload attempt.

Uploading via a proxy server

Specification of a proxy server is also allowed. The protocol used is SOCKS V.4 (if V.5 is required use the Java 1.4 runtime) and the standard default port of 1080 is assumed but can be altered. If username/password login is required contact the author and this can be added to the product.